Awning blind



April 10, 1934. ,E. P. VlOLETTE AWNING BLIND Filed March 8, 1953 Z P Vila/e ize X 23 ATTORNEYj Patented Apr. 10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AWNING BLIND Edward P. Violette, Jacksonville, Fla.

Application March 8, 1933, Serial No. 660,028

15 Claims.

My invention relates to window blinds wherein slats are flexibly assembled for adjustment along vertical guides to provide either an inside or outside blind, closure or louver for windows or other openings.

More particularly, my invention is concerned with the perfecting of what I term an awning blind made up of separate rigid slats so connected by links, so assembled on vertical guides, and so controlled, as to enable them to be readily drawn together into a compact pile as the blind is raised and successively set fixedly in operating position as the blind is lowered.

Preferably rigid rods, mounted in suitable brackets on the opening frame, serve as blind guides, and the blind slats are of rigid metal or other suitable material having end slots for the guide rods of such size that each slat will bind thereon as it is lowered to its working level and cooked or rocked about its long axis until it assumes its predetermined open or working angle. The essence of my invention lies in the link connection for the slats, the links being stamped from sheet metal or like flat stock and provided with slightly offset reduced ends which terminate in heads adapted to interlock loosely in end holes in opposite sides of the slats. These links conform closely to the transverse cross section of that portion of the slats that they engage when the blind is in closed position and their ends will so interlock with the slats that they cannot be disengaged therefrom so long as the blind is assembled in its guide rods.

It is a further feature that the links are each slotted to receive a guide rod and to bind on such rod after it has swung down to a predetermined angle, whereby both the links and the slats are caused to bind and become interlocked with the guide rods upon assuming open position.

My invention further comprises the novel details of construction and the arrangements of parts which, are exemplified in the accompanying drawing, but it is to be understood that the construction illustrated is merely one of a variety of forms in which my invention, as set forth in the appended claims, may be embodied.

As illustratedz- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my awning blind, omitting any showing of a window and illustrating the blind and its top hood partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmental view of one end of a blind slat showing the key hole slot provided to receive a link head; and

Fig. 4. is a detail plan view of one of the links.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout.

I have illustrated my invention in the form of an outside blind capable of shading a window opening while permitting free and ample ventilation. I term this type of blind an awning blind, since it is capable of supplying the function of both blind and awning. However, the invention is equally adapted for interior use as a blind or shade and is also adapted for use as a louver.

In the embodiment illustrated, I show marginal walls 5 surrounding a window opening 6 above which I mount a hood 7, which has its outer edge bent downwardly to conceal the blind when raised. Beneath the hood I mount a suitable top bracket 8 attached to the wall 5 and below the opening I provide brackets 9. Vertical guide rods 10 are secured to the brackets and the hood '7.

The awning blind comprises a series of duplicate slats 11 formed of sheet metal or other suitable rigid material and having any desired sur- 8 face treatment to'render same weather proof and ornamental. The slats have a main flat center panel terminating in reversely angled inner and outer edges 12 and 13 respectively. In the longitudinal center of each slat near its ends I provide oblong openings 14 through which the guide rods 10 pass with sulficient clearance for the slats to be free, whenv level, to slide up and down on them but on which the slats will bind when they assume their intended inclined working position. .90

In transverse alignment with each end opening 14 and equidistant therefrom I provide two key hole slots 15, see Fig. 3, these slots each having its narrow neck outwardly extended and being disposed approximately midway between the opening 14 and the adjacent edge 12 or 13.

Centrally of the slats near each end thereof is provided a small hole 16 ample for the free passage therethrough of a pull rope or cord 17, one of which is provided for each side of the blind and after passing down through all of the slats in the blind it is made fast to a button 18 or other securing means by which it is connected to the bottom slat. These cords 17 pass over guides or rollers 19 and 20, suitably journaled on hearing brackets attached to the upper bracket 8, and both pass over a double guide or pulley 21 at the desired side of the window frame and hang down in position to be made fast to any suitable holder, such as is customarily provided for the pull cords of awnings but which, forming no part of my present invention, is not illustrated.

The means whereby the several slats are connected so that they will articulate in the manner desired constitutes an important feature of my invention and, in its preferred embodiment, it comprises a plurality of duplicate link elements which are illustrated in detail in Fig. 4 and each of which comprises a body 22 provided at each end with oppositely offset narrow neck portions 23 and 24, each carrying on its outer end a head 25 forming square inner shoulders and having an arcuate end edge.

In the center of the body portion 22 and disposed lengthwise thereof is an oblong opening 26, substantially corresponding in size to the opening 14 in the slats, and the guide rods 10 are passed through these openings 26 in the links after the heads at each end of the links have been passed through key hole slots 15 so as to loosely interlock the slats. They key hole 15 is made just sufficient in size to permit a link head 25 to be passed therethrough when the links' body is disposed in a plane normal to the slat and in line with the key hole extension. Then, if the link is sufficiently inclined for one edge of its head to be hooked through the key hole slot it can be swung bodily back up until its head will pass entirely through the slot, whereupon the link is turned 90 about its long axis to bring it into position so that a guide rod can be passed through its center opening 26 when being passed through the corresponding openings 14 in the slats which 'the'link connects.

The offset provided in each link neck 24 corresponds substantially to the thickness of the material in the slats and the spacing between the oii'sets corresponds roughly to the spacing between the key hole slots 15 at each end of a slat. As a result of this arrangement these links are each connected to opposite sides of an adjacent pair of slats and adapted to lie flat between the slats it connects, its head at one end resting below the under slat and at the other end resting above the upper slat.

This adaptability of the links to nest snugly between the slats when they are drawn together is clearly illustrated by observing the three lower slats which are shown drawn together in Fig. 2. The upper links on the top slat are passed through key hole slots 15 provided in the top bracket member 8.

Having assembled an awning blind in the manner described, upon release of the pull cords, the several slats will drop away from their position under the hood 7 and as they move down the links connecting the upper slat to the top bracket 8 will first take effect to cause this slat to tilt down outwardly until it binds against the guide rods 10, thereupon the upper end of the next lower links are arrested and commence to swing down until they in turn bind upon the guide rods, whereupon they provide an upper fulcrum about which the second slat tilts downwardly until it binds on the guide rods 10 and so on until the whole, or any desired part of the shade is in operating position. Fig. 2 shows the slats arrested at an intermediate point so as not to shade the complete window opening.

When it is desired to raise or close the awning blind, a pull is applied to the cords 1'7 and the lower slat is first rocked to level position and then is raised up, in turn engaging and leveling out the links and slat above it, and this process continues until the whole blind is assembled in closed or nested position under the hood.

By observing the links designated 22m in Fig. 2, it will be seen that when the blind is being lowered the cocking of these links will have acted to prize the inner edge of the lower slat, to which they are connected, away from the slat below it. This action prevents the slats sticking and causes the links to successively prize the slats apart and to assume a binding position on the guide rods.

The blind is thus composed of metal slats and light inexpensive connecting links and the whole presents an assemblage which can be economically produced and will have great durability, while at the same time presenting an attractive appearance.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A blind comprising a plurality of slats having aligning end slots, a pull cord means made fast to the lower slat and having suitable guide means, a series of links loosely connecting opposite sides of adjacent slats near each end thereof, and vertical guides passing through said slots in the slats and against which the slats are adapted to bind when they successively assume their lowered operating position.

2. An awning blind comprising, in combination, vertical side guide rods, a plurality of slats having end apertures through which the rods pass loosely, said apertures being adapted to bind on the rods when the slats assume their inclined operating position, links forming an articulating connection between adjacent slats on opposite sides of their longitudinal center lines, and elements to support and adjust the awning blind.

3. An awning blind according to claim 2, in which the links also have slots through which the guide rods pass.

4. An awning blind according to claim 2, in which the links have perforations for the passage therethrough of the guide rods which are adapted to cause the links to bind on said rods when they swing down into their operating position.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality of rigid blind slats, flat links adapted to connect adjacent pairs of slats, the links having loose demountable connections with the slats and being adapted to lie flat between the collapsed slats, and elements to support, guide and adjust the slats.

6. An awning blind according to claim 5, in which the guide element comprises rigid rods on which the slats are strung, the slats having openings which cause them to bind upon the guide rods when the slats assume their operating position.

7. A device according to claim 5, in which rigid rods constitute the guide element and both slats and links are strung on the rods by means of apertures which bind thereon when the links and slats attain respectively their lowered operating position.

8. An awning blind comprising 'a plurality of slats each having front and rear edges disposed in oppositely inclined angular relation to a center panel, there being oblong guide openings near the center at each end of its panel, guide rods rigidly supported and passing through said openings, the slats being adapted to bind on the guide rods when inclined to their working position, rigid links loosely connected at each end to adjacent slats, said lines having oppositely ofiset heads adapted to penetrate and interlock withthe slats which they connect, and being adapted to nest snugly between the slats when the latter are drawn together, and means to raise and lower the blind.

9. An awning blind of the character described, comprising a top supporting element, links notched at each end to provide heads, slats having end apertures, the links being adapted when disposed in abnormal position to interlock their heads loosely with the adjacent slats or the uppermost slat and the top supporting element to form an articulating connection for the blind elements, guides for the slats, and means to adjust the slats to any desired working position.

10. An awning blind of the character described, comprising a plurality of slats of rigid material having oppositely deflected front and rear edges that leave between them a flat center panel, there being at each end of said panel in each slat a transversely disposed oblong opening and a hole and a pair of key hole slots, a pull cord inserted through said holes, guide rods rigidly mounted and inserted through the oblong openings, and metallic links having heads adapted to be interlocked respectively in a front and a rear key hole slot in adjacent slats.

11. An awning blind according to claim 10, in which the links have their heads connected by short necks to body portions, each link having a longitudinally disposed oblong central opening adapted also to receive a guide rod, both the links and slate being adapted, by reason of the length of their respective oblong openings, to bind on the guide rods as they respectively reach their operating position.

12. A blind comprising a plurality of duplicate metallic slats, a plurality of transversely disposed stamped metallic links having their ends demountably interlocked with opposite sides of adjacent slats to form an articulated assemblage, and elements to support, guide and adjust the blind.

13. A blind according to claim 12, in which the links are adapted to engage and bind against the guide elements so that each underhanging slat as the blind is adjusted to operating position will be stopped by its supporting links with its upper edge above the level of the lower edge of the slat next below.

14. An awning blind comprising a plurality of duplicate rigid slats, a plurality of narrow metallic links having shouldered ends demountably interlocked with adjacent slats to form an articulated assemblage, and elements to support, guide and adjust the blind, said links having slots for the reception of the guide elements for the slats which adapt the links as they unfold to bind on said guide elements and by their shouldered ends to form braces for both slats to which they are connected.

15. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality of rigid blind slats, flat links adapted to connect adjacent pairs of slats, the links having spaced shoulders at each end forming a loose thrust and pull connection between opposite sides of the slats and being adapted to lie flat between the collapsed slats, and elements to support, guide and adjust the slats.

EDWARD P. VIOLETTE. 

